I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass re-opens, White Pass to remain closed overnight
SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. - Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass has re-opened after being closed for 18 hours because of heavy snow and avalanche danger.
Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation said I-90 was closed from North Bend to Ellensburg because of heavy snowfall, poor visibility, and avalanche danger west of the summit.
Transportation officials reminded drivers to put on chains when required by law to help avoid spinouts which could result in another closure.
Chains are required except for those with all-wheel and four-wheel drive.
Highway 12 (White Pass) was closed because of snow slides. Officials said it would remain closed overnight, and an update would be provided at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
RELATED: Heavy snow hits mountains; snowmelt in lowlands
Both pass closures happened before 2 a.m.
Before 7:30 a.m., the Summit at Snoqualmie said a power outage was affecting the entire Snoqualmie Pass area, and restoration isn’t until about 5 p.m. The resort said it will be temporarily closed Monday and plans to reopen Tuesday if the power is restored and depending on the status of I-90.
US 101 was also closed west of Hood Canal for a 50-mile stretch between SR 104 junction and Hoodsport because of downed trees, powerlines and heavy wet snow.
Check the latest closures and delays here
Umatilla County, in northeastern Oregon, saw wind gusts of 60 mph (97 kph), snow drifts along roadways that were several feet tall and white-out conditions that prevented the Oregon Department of Transportation from operating its snow plows, the agency said.
People who ignore road closures could become stranded for several days and there were reports of multiple weather-related crashes and stranded vehicles, ODOT said.
About eight inches (20 cm) of snow fell in the Columbia River Gorge between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Monday, the National Weather Service said. As a result, I-84 was closed between Troutdale and Highway 64 near Hood River because of white-out conditions and multiple crashes.
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In Portland, the precipitation fell as heavy rain that caused flooding that closed some city intersections.
Officials also warned people to stay away from areas recently burned by wildfires because the heavy rain could cause mudslides.
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